Can you make money and feel good about it?

Healthcare clinics, along with education and housing projects, are commonly supported by impact investors.

Want to make money while helping the people around you? Impact investing may have the answer.

Funds that promise to put money to work for the good of society are growing fast, as investors look for alternatives to traditional assets.

So how does it work? Individuals invest in funds or organizations with a specific social or environmental purpose, such as building schools, hospitals or affordable housing - and they're rewarded with a financial return.

Fund managers say the unique selling point of this kind of investing is an intentional, measurable social benefit. This sets impact investing apart from its older cousins -- ethical or socially responsible investing, which try to avoid doing harm by excluding tobacco or arms companies from their portfolios.

And it appears to be catching on.

JPMorgan(JPM), which invest in several funds dedicated to social causes, says its clients weren't aware of impact investing just three years ago.

Now they're coming to the bank to pumpmoney into socially conscious investment vehicles. A survey by the firm found investors plan to commit $9 billion this year.

World leaders are also throwing their weight behind the sector, agreeing at a G8 summit this year to create a task force aimed at expanding the market.

The global financial meltdown, financialscams and Wall Street misconduct have left many people disillusioned with traditional investments.

And growing awareness of inequality and diminishing natural resources is also fueling a hunger to do good with finance, particularly among young people.